LEWIS HAMILTON is set to pocket a staggering £3.4million bonus if he wins the 2021 F1 title.
The British legend, 36, is gunning for his eighth crown at this weekend’s season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Hamilton has been forced to fight tooth and nail to close the gap on rival Max Verstappen.
After a number of thrills and spills – most-notably at Silverstone, Monza and Saudi Arabia – Hamilton and Verstappen go into the final race level on points.
In what will be a straight shootout, the Brit ace will need to beat the Dutchman – owing to Verstappen’s better win and podium record thus far in 2021.
But Hamilton has plenty of incentive to win.
Not only is the F1 title – and bragging rights – on the line, but also a £3.4m bonus, according to Forbes.
Hamilton is comfortably the best-paid driver on the grid – raking in £40m per season.
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
That’s £22m ahead of second-top-earner Verstappen (£18m).
Hamilton’s deal includes a charitable donation to help increase diversity in F1.
And the £40m figure is understood to include all bonuses and add-ons.
It’s likely, therefore, Hamilton hasn’t recouped the full amount this season.
A year ago, Hamilton racked up 11 wins, 10 pole positions and 14 podiums.
This year, he’s dropped off to just eight victories, five poles and 16 top-three finishes.
So the £3.4m cherry on top could be just the ticket for Hamilton in Abu Dhabi.
However, Hamilton will have to be on his best behaviour or risk facing a 10-PLACE grid penalty for the showdown.
The Brit has picked up two reprimands in the past three races and one more would trigger the huge sanction.
Hamilton was given a reprimand in Mexico for unsafely rejoining the track during first practice.
And he was also ticked off in Saudi Arabia for blocking Haas’ Nikita Mazepin at high speed through the first sector in final practice.
If he is penalised in any of the three practice sessions or qualifying in Abu Dhabi, he could be hit with a hammer blow to his title hopes.
